Haiti 6 Months Later

On January 12, 2010 a devastating earthquake measuring 7.0 on the Richter scale struck Haiti, 16km west of the capital, Port-au-Prince. 3 million people have been affected, more than 230,000 lives lost and an estimated 1.5 million people displaced. It was the most powerful quake to hit the impoverished country in more than 200 years.

GlobalMedic responded immediately by sending a Rapid Response Team of emergency medical personnel, water technicians and logisticians. During GlobalMedic’s operations, 64 water purification units were installed which, to date have provided over 20 million litres of clean drinking water to beneficiaries and currently produce over one million litres of clean drinking water per week.

GlobalMedic has continued to demonstrate support and commitment towards relief efforts benefiting Haitian people through shipments of the following aid: two inflatable field hospitals, serving over 7,000 patients; five million Aquatab water purification tablets; 620 tents; 250 family size water purification units; 33 generators; one million dollars in essential medicines; and 1,200 flashlights. GlobalMedic also deployed 20 Canadian volunteer rescuers including paramedics, police officers, engineers, and firefighters as part of the Rapid Response Team, in addition to hiring over 45 Haitians to augment the distribution of clean water.

GlobalMedic is committed to strengthening ongoing relief efforts and implementing new projects in Haiti. In June 2010 GlobalMedic initiated a long term household water purification program which places individual, simple use water purification units in transitional homes for those beneficiaries who are moving out of IDP Camps. This program will continue for the next 12 months.

Through constant action in sustaining public engagement and awareness, providing aid and implementing effective relief programs, GlobalMedic continues to honour the remembrance of Haitians who have died as a result of the January 2010 earthquake, in addition to those who continue to be affected by the disaster. Projects in Haiti designed and implemented by GlobalMedic, operational since early 2010, are currently facilitated by local beneficiaries.

Members of GlobalMedic’s RRT who have deployed to Haiti and can speak to our past and current operations are available for interviews at the following contacts:
Rahul Singh — Director, GlobalMedic— rsingh@globalmedic.ca — 647-885-7311
Matt Capobianco — Manager, Emergency Programs – mcapobianco@globalmedic.ca — 416-271-0717